Bicycle Mechanics - Alternatives to a work stand?

I don't really work on my bike beyond cleaning the chain and cleaning the bike. So I've been hanging the bike with bungee cords from the garage door overhead. The obvious problem is that the bike swings and bounces around while I hold the chain cleaner and pedal.

Are there any cheap alternatives for an occasional work stand? If not, can you recommend a cheap stand that won't be more aggrivating than bungee cords?

self standing or wall hook bike rack.

If that's all you're doing, this would work. http://www.bikerackshops.com/SS37010.html

I have one of these that I use. You have to sit down on the floor or a small seat. I spread the " legs" of mine further apart to be more stable, but I use this thing all the time.
If you order from this company, order all you need at once to save on shipping costs.

http://www.niagaracycle.com/product_info.php?products_id=414473

I use a department store mannequin.
With elbows bent and palms up.

I read somewhere you can use a car bike rack and tried it out this weekend, and boy it works pretty well. And the car trunk is a convenient spot to set tools, etc. Of course you have to work outside and can only access one side of the bike at a time, but it puts the bike at a convenient height for most things and you can spin the pedals just fine. I'd like to get a legit work stand when money permits, but this will work for now.

I use bungie cords hanging from my garage door overhead and I've never had a problem. I don't use a chain cleaner thing, just home brew and a rag. Seems to work just as well, and there's less torque on the bungie cords.

Two chairs and a broom handle, put the broom handle across the top of the chairs (obviously you need chairs with some sort of high edges) and hang bike from the seat. I built my road bike from frame up this way. Wasn't pretty but it worked.

Consider wall hangers, I got em for $15 each from my LBS. Two bolts into the wall, keeps the bike out of the way and off the floor, and also stable enough to work on, I work on em all the time now on it. Or if you don't wanna hang your bike all the time they fold up flat against the wall.

Car rack works to, however the suggestion of using the trrunk to hold your tools and stuff makes me cringe!! Doesn't anyone like their paint?!?!?!

Car rack works to, however the suggestion of using the trrunk to hold your tools and stuff makes me cringe!! Doesn't anyone like their paint?!?!?!

Well, my car is 15 years old and beat up, so what's one more scratch? :lol:

I use this for quick jobs.
http://www.performancebike.com/bikes//Product_10052_10551_1030400_-1___

I've seen pics here on home built stands made from 2x4's mounted in a vice. do a search, should only be a few pages back....?

Well, my car is 15 years old and beat up, so what's one more scratch? :lol:

Point well taken ;) hehehe

It's not cheap, but if you happen to have a stationary trainer those work pretty well as workstands. Great for testing your derailleur adjustments under load.

I use a department store mannequin.
With elbows bent and palms up.

please tell me you're not joking, that's far to awesome of an idea to not be true.

I wish it were true.
I would call her 'The Elaine'.

I use ratcheting cargo tie down straps and rafter hooks to hang bikes from the rafters. A bungee from a chainstay to an eye plate set in the concrete floor with redheads steadies the whole thing. There is still some minor swaying, but it's of no consequence. I have done complete overhauls and rebuilds with it and no problems. bk

I've been mostly turning it upside down and clamping the top tube in one of those "workmate" type woodwork workbenches.

Depending on the length, you might need to take the saddle off.

Saved me from a sore back by bringing all the moving parts closer to eye level.
http://cn1.kaboodle.com/hi/img/2/0/0/36/1/AAAAAmprYx0AAAAAADYd2A.jpg

An 18 to 24 inch piece of 1x6 attached to most anything high enough so bike wheels are,at least, off the floor,,,screwed/attached, to the end of a work bench, workmate, etc.( Mine is clamped to the end of a 40" engine lathe),
then, , use a notched chunk of 2x4 that goes over the top of the top tube and held down with a clamp to hold the top tube tight, (NOT TO tight), to the 1x6
Bud

that little Y stand is awfull I ditched mine and got a Bontrager stand. I have seen pics on here where people have made stands out of their hitch mounted racks.